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SIGNED

NOV 21, 2023

Bill became State Law

House Bill 174, the Texas State Legislature named the last Friday in September American Indian Heritage Day

AN ACT relating to creating American Indian Heritage Day.BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Subchapter C, Chapter 662, Government Code, is amended by adding Section 662.056 to read as follows: Sec. 662.056. AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE DAY. (a) The last Friday in September is American Indian Heritage Day in recognition of the historic, cultural, and social contributions American Indian communities and leaders have made to this state.

(b) American Indian Heritage Day shall be regularly observed by appropriate ceremonies, activities, and programs in the public schools and other places to honor American Indians in this state and to celebrate the rich traditional and contemporary American Indian culture.

SECTION 2. This Act takes effect immediately if it receives a vote of two-thirds of all the members elected to each house, as provided by Section 39, Article III, Texas Constitution. If this Act does not receive the vote necessary for immediate effect, this Act takes effect September 1, 2013.

1. Introduction

A legislator introduces the bill in either the House of Representatives or the Senate.

2. Committee Referral

The bill is assigned to a relevant committee for review and potential amendments.

3. Committee Consideration

The committee holds hearings, debates the bill, and may vote to pass it, amend it, or kill it.

4. Floor Debate

If the committee approves the bill, it’s debated and voted on by the full chamber

5. Passage in Originating Chamber

If the bill passes in the first chamber, it’s sent to the second chamber.

6. Committee Referral in Second Chamber

If the bill passes in the second chamber, it may need to go to a conference committee to resolve any differences between the two versions.

7. Passage in Second Chamber

If the bill passes in the second chamber, it may need to go to a conference committee to resolve any differences between the two versions.

8. Conference Committee

If necessary, a conference committee made up of members from both chambers works out the differences and creates a compromise bill.

9. Final Passage

Both chambers must approve the final version of the bill.

10. Governor's Action

The bill is sent to the governor, who has several options: 

  • Sign the bill into law
  • Veto the bill   
  • Let the bill become law without signing it (if the legislature is in session)
  • Pocket veto the bill (if the legislature is not in session)